The Best Power Yoga Videos

- What To Look For

For a variety of reasons, many people choose to practice power yoga at home rather than going to lessons. They may live in rural areas away from yoga studios, do shift-work, lack confidence or simply be unable to afford lessons.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that just because you mightn't attend yoga lessons, doesn't mean you can't get just as good a workout at home. The key lies in knowing what to look for in a good power yoga video to get the most value for your money.

When looking for the best power yoga videos to suit your needs, there are a few things you should look out for:

Variety 

The best power yoga videos provide a varied and interesting workout, rather than just the same poses over and over. Just as with attending yoga lessons, it's important to do a whole-body workout when you practice power yoga at home. Many power yoga titles come in a set of 3 or more videos, providing even more variety. They cost a bit more, but it's almost certainly cheaper buying a set of three videos than buying three titles separately.

What Poses Should Be Covered

A comprehensive range of breathing and standing poses, repetitions of multiple Sun Salutations, forward bends and side angle bends should be incorporated as a minimum. The best yoga videos include these and often many more poses that help with balance, flexibility, strength and stamina.

Challenge

Many power yoga videos specify whether they are for beginners or more experienced practitioners. The best power yoga videos, however, provide sequences of poses that move from being quite simple to more challenging. This allows you to stop at a level with which you feel comfortable (without over-exerting), or challenge yourself as you see fit.

Just Because It Says Beginner Doesn't Mean It's Easy!!!

Keep in mind that even the best power yoga videos that are aimed at 'beginners' are likely to be quite challenging. Power yoga requires a fair level of fitness and experience with exercise and other gym work if you are to get the most out of it.

Demonstration and Explanation

The best power yoga videos provide a visual demonstration of each sequence, along with a verbal and/or written explanation of how to do them. In addition, try and look for a video that offers in-depth tips on proper alignment and form. Attempting to do a sequence of poses without such a thorough demonstration and explanation may result in injury or ineffective practice.

Modifications and Adjustments

True novices of power yoga may have significant difficulty with the level of flexibility required. The best power yoga videos offer alternatives, or pose adjustments, to suit those of us who are less flexible.

• Hatha Yoga DVD Guide